Journal of Translational Medicine (Mar 2025)

MicroRNA-24-3p targeting Top1 in perirenal fat is involved in circulating inflammation and high cardiovascular disease risk in patients with primary aldosteronism

  • Xuelin Li,
  • Min Luo,
  • Yanmei Zeng,
  • Renyi Zhang,
  • Xiaochun Lin,
  • Yuejun Du,
  • Wei Zhao,
  • Qijian Feng,
  • Minghai Wu,
  • Jin Zhang,
  • Lei Guo,
  • Peili Wu,
  • Chuyi Yang,
  • Feifei Cai,
  • Yuan Wang,
  • Yuxuan Hu,
  • Huiyun Wang,
  • Nannan Liu,
  • Lingling Xu,
  • Meiping Guan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06329-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 18

Abstract

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Abstract Context Patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are at a high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic syndrome. Notable inflammatory and fibrotic changes and differential microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the perirenal fat observed in PA may contribute to this increased risk, however, which has not been fully elucidated. Objective This study aimed to explore the role of high expression of miR-24-3p in perirenal fat in circulating inflammation and its correlation with a high risk of CVD in patients with PA. Methods Perirenal fat thickness (PRFT) measured by computed tomography (CT), miR-24-3p expression in perirenal fat, circulating inflammatory factors from adrenal veins and peripheral blood in patients with PA were analyzed. In vitro, white and brown adipocytes with miR-24-3p overexpression or inhibition respectively were stimulated with aldosterone and a unidirectional co-culture model of adipocytes and HUVEC was established. The target genes of miR-24-3p were identified. Results Patients with PA and CVD have significantly higher PRFT than those without CVD. The expression level of miR-24-3p in perirenal fat was significantly positively correlated with PRFT. MiR-24-3p was significantly upregulated in the perirenal fat of PA and was associated with increased adipogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, correlating with plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), PRFT, cardiac remodeling, and weight gain. The IL-6 level in the peripheral blood was elevated in patients with PA and CVD, and the affected adrenal vein had the highest IL-6 level. Targeting Top1, miR-24-3p modulated aldosterone-induced effects in adipocytes and influenced IL-6 secretion, thereby affecting HUVEC. Conclusion The upregulation of miR-24-3p in the perirenal fat induced inflammation and oxidative stress by targeting Top1, which may contribute to a high risk of CVD in patients with PA.

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